US11262564B2 - Optical element, display device using same, and photoreceptor device - Google Patents

Optical element, display device using same, and photoreceptor device Download PDF

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US11262564B2
US11262564B2 US15/767,000 US201615767000A US11262564B2 US 11262564 B2 US11262564 B2 US 11262564B2 US 201615767000 A US201615767000 A US 201615767000A US 11262564 B2 US11262564 B2 US 11262564B2
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Prior art keywords
substrate
beam splitter
light
image display
front surface
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US15/767,000
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US20180307014A1 (en
Inventor
Masato Tanaka
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Shimadzu Corp
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Shimadzu Corp
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B17/00—Systems with reflecting surfaces, with or without refracting elements
    • G02B17/08—Catadioptric systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/0081—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00 with means for altering, e.g. enlarging, the entrance or exit pupil
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/017—Head mounted
    • G02B27/0172—Head mounted characterised by optical features
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/02—Viewing or reading apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/005—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed on the light output side of the light guide
    • G02B6/0055—Reflecting element, sheet or layer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C7/00—Optical parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
    • G02C7/00—Optical parts
    • G02C7/02—Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
    • G02C7/08—Auxiliary lenses; Arrangements for varying focal length
    • G02C7/086—Auxiliary lenses located directly on a main spectacle lens or in the immediate vicinity of main spectacles
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/64—Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/01—Head-up displays
    • G02B27/017—Head mounted
    • G02B2027/0178—Eyeglass type

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an optical element for propagating light in a set direction, and to a display device and photoreceptor device using such an optical element, relating in particular to a display device suitable for monitors for information appliances that can be used outside of a desktop environment, such as wearable computers which are worn on the body by means of a waist belt, personal accessories and the like, and communication devices such as portable telephones which can be carried by placing in a knapsack or pocket.
  • FIG. 3 is an external view showing a goggle type display (display device) worn by a viewer
  • FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating the general configuration of a conventional goggle type display and the optical path in the XY plane.
  • the goggle type display 101 is for the right eye, and defines an XYZ coordinate system having its origin at the center of the right eye E of a viewer viewing into the distance.
  • the Y direction is to the front of the viewer, the Z direction is above the viewer, and the X direction (set direction) is to the left of the viewer.
  • the goggle type display 101 has an appearance similar to goggles, and comprises an output unit (output optical system) 40 which outputs image display light L, a light guide (optical element) 10 which is a substrate that internally reflects the image display light L from the output unit 40 and guides it to the eye E of the viewer, and a frame part F to which the output unit 40 and light guide 10 are attached (for example, see patent literature 1).
  • the output unit 40 has a housing as shown in FIG. 3 , and inside this housing, comprises an output mechanism including a transmissive liquid crystal display 41 , an optical system 42 and a light source (not illustrated), and a control unit (not illustrated) which outputs an image signal to the output mechanism.
  • an output mechanism including a transmissive liquid crystal display 41 , an optical system 42 and a light source (not illustrated), and a control unit (not illustrated) which outputs an image signal to the output mechanism.
  • the transmissive liquid crystal display 41 based on an image signal from the control unit, forms an image in a display region perpendicular to the output direction, and outputs an image display light L.
  • Optical system 42 transmits the image display light L of the display region.
  • Optical system 42 is furthermore arranged at a distance in front of the transmissive liquid crystal display 41 . As a result, the optical system 42 forms a virtual image of the observed object while transmitting image display light L of the display region.
  • Light guide 10 is a substrate fashioned from a light transmitting material such as glass (BK7, etc.), resin (polycarbonate, polymethacrylic acid (PMMA), cycloolefin, etc.) or the like and comprises a front surface 10 a , a rear surface 10 b located opposite the front surface 10 a in the ⁇ Y direction, a right surface 10 c , a left surface 10 d located opposite the right surface 10 c in the X direction, a top surface (not illustrated) and a bottom surface (not illustrated) located opposite the top surface in the Z direction, and furthermore has a beam splitter surface 11 formed inside.
  • the front surface 10 a , the rear surface 10 b , the top surface and the bottom surface are parallel to the X direction (set direction), while the left surface 10 d is perpendicular to the X direction (set direction).
  • the right surface 10 c is arranged so as to have an angle at to the X direction (set direction) when viewed from the Z direction.
  • the output unit 40 is moreover arranged so as to cause the image display light L from the output mechanism to be inputted through the right surface 10 c of the light guide 10 into the light guide 10 in a direction perpendicular to the right surface 10 c .
  • image display light L from the output unit 40 enters inside the light guide 10 through the right surface 10 c in a direction perpendicular to the right surface 10 c , it advances substantially in the X direction (set direction).
  • the beam splitter surface 11 comprises three planar beam splitter surfaces, arranged in the X direction in the sequence: first beam splitter surface 11 a , second beam splitter surface 11 b , third beam splitter surface 11 c . Furthermore, each of the beam splitter surfaces 11 a through 11 c are arranged at the same angle ⁇ to the X direction when viewed from the Z direction.
  • the first beam splitter surface 11 a , second beam splitter surface 11 b and third beam splitter surface 11 c furthermore make it possible to reflect a predetermined fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and to transmit a predetermined fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L.
  • the image display light L of the display region from the output unit 40 is inputted into the light guide 10 through the right surface 10 c .
  • the image display light L from the output unit 40 is inputted through the right surface 10 c into the light guide 10 in a direction perpendicular to the right surface 10 c , and the right surface 10 c causes the image display light L of the display region from the output unit 40 to be inputted such that it advances substantially in the X direction (set direction).
  • the front surface 10 a and rear surface 10 b cause the image display light L of the display region to advance in the X direction (set direction) while reflecting it in alternation multiple times, thereby leading it to the first beam splitter surface 11 a .
  • the first beam splitter surface 11 a then reflects a predetermined fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and transmits a predetermined fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L. Namely, the luminous flux of image display light La is guided to the eye E of the viewer.
  • the image display light L which has passed through the first beam splitter surface 11 a reaches the second beam splitter surface 11 b .
  • the second beam splitter surface 11 b reflects a predetermined fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and transmits a predetermined fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L. Namely, the luminous flux of image display light Lb is guided to the eye E of the viewer.
  • the image display light L which has passed through the second beam splitter surface 11 b reaches the third beam splitter surface 11 c .
  • the third beam splitter surface 11 c reflects a predetermined fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and transmits a predetermined fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L. Namely, the luminous flux of image display light Lc is guided to the eye E of the viewer.
  • FIG. 5 is an example of an image in which a shadow seen by the viewer has been generated by the goggle type display 101 of FIG. 4 .
  • the present applicant investigated methods that would allow the viewer to properly see the image, and found that in a goggle type display 101 as described above, the size of the luminous flux of the image display light L (the display region) is limited by the size of the right surface 10 c , and with a luminous flux size that has been limited by the size of the right surface 10 c shown in FIG. 4 , regions occur in which luminous flux of image display light L propagating through the inside of the light guide 10 is not present (dropouts).
  • FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating the propagation range of luminous flux in the XY plane of the goggle type display 101 of FIG. 4 , where symbols A in the drawing indicate luminous flux dropouts.
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a light guide in which the size of the right surface and the size of the light flux have been increased.
  • this sort of light guide 300 has protruding parts and is thus difficult to manufacture and also makes the output unit 340 larger and heavier.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication 2011-164545 discloses a display device comprising a first light guide for guiding image display light from a first output unit and a second light guide for guiding image display light from a second output unit, but since this device comprises two output units, it has the problem that it becomes larger and heavier.
  • International Publication No. WO2011/24291 discloses a display device comprising a first light guide which reflects image display light by means of four surfaces—a front surface, rear surface, top surface and bottom surface, in order to guide it to a second light guide, and a second light guide for guiding the image display light from the first light guide, but this has the problem of making the device large and heavy.
  • the applicant discovered how to arrange a substance (secondary substrate) across a beam splitter surface (secondary beam splitter) in front of the light guide (main substrate) in order to prevent dropouts of luminous flux of the image display light propagating through the inside of the light guide without providing protruding parts as in light guide 300 and without increasing the size of the output unit 340 , etc.
  • beam splitter surface here refers to a surface having the function of reflecting a portion of the luminous flux and transmitting a portion of the luminous flux.
  • the image display light of the display region is reflected in alternation multiple time at the front surface and rear surface of the light guide, and when it reaches the front surface (secondary beam splitter surface) of the light guide, 100% of the luminous flux of the image display light is not reflected, but rather a predetermined fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light is reflected and advances into the light guide, and a predetermined fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light is transmitted and advances into the secondary substrate.
  • a difference occurs between the optical path of the image display light advancing inside the light guide and the optical path of the image display light advancing inside the secondary substrate (the image display light is split by the secondary beam splitter surface and is magnified), and the occurrence of regions where luminous flux of image display light propagating through the inside of the light guide is not present (dropouts) can be prevented by making use of this difference (offset).
  • the optical element of the present invention comprises a main substrate fabricated from light transmitting material, whereof the front surface and rear surface are parallel to a set direction, and having at least one main beam splitter surface formed diagonally to the set direction inside the main substrate, which optical element further comprises a secondary substrate fabricated from light transmitting material, whereof the front surface and rear surface are parallel to a set direction, wherein a secondary beam splitter surface is arranged between the front surface of the secondary substrate and the rear surface of said main substrate or between the rear surface of the secondary substrate and the front surface of said main substrate.
  • set direction is an arbitrary direction determined in advance by the designer, etc., and could be, for example, the left direction, right direction, top direction or bottom direction.
  • optical element of the present invention As described above, light is split and magnified by a secondary beam splitter surface, thus making it possible to prevent the occurrence of regions where luminous flux propagating through the inside of the main substrate is not present (dropouts).
  • light may be inputted or outputted through a surface other than the front surface and rear surface of the main substrate and the front surface and rear surface of the secondary substrate.
  • the optical element of the present invention when the right surface, etc. of the secondary substrate is formed diagonally, the concentration of complex processing on a single substrate can be avoided, so productivity is improved.
  • the width of the output mechanism is to be reduced, in the case where the image display light is inputted through the right surface of the main substrate, if the main substrate is made thinner, it is necessary to increase the number of main beam splitter surfaces in the main substrate in order to maintain the output range outputted by the main beam splitter surface, but by inputting the image display light through the right surface, etc. of the secondary substrate, the need to increase the number of main beam splitter surfaces of the main substrate is eliminated even if the secondary substrate is made thinner, so productivity is better.
  • a reflective surface may be formed inside the main substrate or the secondary substrate, so that light enters through at least one surface from among the front surface and rear surface of the main substrate and the front surface and rear surface of the secondary substrate and either reaches the reflective surface or, after reaching the reflective surface, is outputted from at least one surface from among the front surface and rear surface of the main substrate and the front surface and rear surface of the secondary substrate.
  • the optical element of the present invention makes it possible to increase the degree of freedom in respect of the location where light enters inside the main substrate and secondary substrate and the location where it is outputted from inside the main substrate and secondary substrate.
  • the secondary beam splitter surface may be arranged so that light is not reflected two or more times from the reflective surface.
  • a substrate of a fixed minimum thickness is arranged in front of the reflective surface, so luminous flux which is reflected two or more times from the reflective surface can be eliminated and the occurrence of stray light can be prevented.
  • the display device of the present invention may comprise an optical element as described above and an output optical system which outputs light.
  • regions where luminous flux is not present do not occur and the output mechanism can be made smaller and lighter.
  • the difference between the light quantity outputted to the outside from the first main beam splitter surface near the input location and the light quantity outputted to the outside from the Nth main beam splitter surface from the input location becomes smaller, making it possible to make the brightness (light quantity) more uniform.
  • the photoreceptor device of the present invention may comprise an optical element as described above and a photoreceptor optical system which detects light.
  • the photoreceptor device of the present invention is able to sense objects of sensing located in any region of the luminous flux.
  • FIG. 1 A drawing illustrating the general configuration and optical path in the XY plane of a goggle type display of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 A drawing illustrating the propagation range of luminous flux in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 An external view illustrating a goggle type display.
  • FIG. 4 A drawing illustrating the general configuration and optical path in the XY plane of a conventional goggle type display.
  • FIG. 5 A drawing illustrating an example of the image seen by the viewer based on the configuration of FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 6 A drawing illustrating the propagation range of luminous flux in FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 7 A plan view illustrating a light guide in which the size of the right surface and input luminous flux has been increased.
  • FIG. 8 A drawing illustrating the general configuration and optical path in the XY plane of a goggle type display of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 A drawing illustrating the propagation range of luminous flux in FIG. 8 .
  • FIG. 10 A drawing illustrating the general configuration and optical path in the XY plane of a photoreceptor device of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 A drawing illustrating the general configuration of a light guide unit of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 A drawing illustrating the general configuration of a light guide unit of the present invention.
  • FIG. 13 A drawing illustrating the general configuration of a light guide unit of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 A drawing illustrating the general configuration of a light guide unit of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 A drawing illustrating the general configuration of a light guide unit of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the general configuration and optical path in the XY plane of a goggle type display (display device) of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is drawing illustrating the propagation range of luminous flux in FIG. 1 . Similar parts have been assigned the same reference symbols as in goggle type display 101 described above.
  • the goggle type display 1 has an appearance similar to goggles, and comprises an output unit 40 which outputs image display light L, a light guide (optical element) 100 which internally reflects the image display light L from the output unit 40 and guides it to the eye E of the viewer, and a frame part F to which the output unit 40 and light guide 100 are attached.
  • the light guide unit 100 comprises a main substrate 10 with a main beam splitter surface 11 formed inside, a secondary substrate 20 , and a secondary beam splitter surface 30 .
  • the secondary substrate 20 has a front surface 20 a , a rear surface 20 b located opposite the front surface 20 a in the ⁇ Y direction, a right surface 20 c , a left surface 20 d located opposite the right surface 20 c in the X direction, a top surface (not illustrated), and a bottom surface (not illustrated) located opposite the top surface in the Z direction.
  • the front surface 20 a and rear surface 20 b are parallel to the X direction (set direction). Namely, the front surface 10 a , rear surface 10 b , front surface 20 a and rear surface 20 b are parallel to the X direction (set direction).
  • the gap between the front surface 20 a and the rear surface 20 b is a prescribed distance (thickness) determined by the designer using calculation formulas, simulation software and the like in consideration of the difference (offset) between the optical path of the image display light L which advances inside the main substrate 10 and the optical path of the image display light L which advances inside the secondary substrate 20 , so that dropouts of luminous flux propagating inside the main substrate 10 do not occur.
  • the material of the secondary substrate includes light transmitting materials such as glass (BK7), resin (polycarbonate, polymethacrylic acid (PMMA), cycloolefin, etc.) or the like, where from the standpoint of ease of manufacturing, change in response to temperature, etc., glass is preferable, and from the standpoint of safety, such as resistance to breaking during use, polycarbonate is preferable.
  • glass glass
  • resin polycarbonate, polymethacrylic acid (PMMA), cycloolefin, etc.
  • the secondary beam splitter surface 30 makes it possible to reflect a set fraction of the luminous flux of inputted image display light L and to transmit a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L.
  • the set fractions of light reflected and transmitted by the secondary beam splitter surface are fractions set by the designer using calculation formulas, simulation software and the like, so that the brightness of the area where dropouts of luminous flux propagating inside the main substrate 10 have been eliminated will be more uniform with the brightness of the other areas, being preferably 20% or greater and 80% or less, for example, 50%, etc.
  • the secondary beam splitter surface 30 may be formed for example on the rear surface 20 b of the secondary substrate 20 through optical coating, with the front surface 10 a of the main substrate 10 being bonded to the rear surface 20 b of the secondary substrate 20 , which is preferable from the standpoint of facilitating fixation of the elements, and moreover may be arranged between the front surface 10 a of the main substrate 10 and the rear surface 20 b of the secondary substrate 20 by being directly bonded (optical contact, anodic bonding, diffusion bonding, ambient temperature bonding, thermal bonding, fluoric acid bonding, etc.), which is preferable from the standpoint of eliminating the need for adhesive with a predetermined refractive index.
  • the secondary beam splitter surface 30 may be formed by making use of reflection occurring due to a combination of materials of different refractive indices for the main substrate 10 and secondary substrate 20 , and may also be formed by filling the space between the main substrate 10 and secondary substrate 20 with a medium such as adhesive, air or oil, and making use of reflection generated due to the difference between the refractive index of that medium and the refractive index of the main substrate 10 and secondary substrate 20 .
  • image display light L of the display region from the output unit 40 is inputted inside the main substrate 10 through the right surface 10 c .
  • the image display light L from the output unit 40 is inputted inside through the right surface 10 c in a direction perpendicular to the right surface 10 c , and the right surface 10 c causes the image display light L of the display region from the output unit 40 to be inputted such that it advances substantially in the X direction (set direction).
  • the front surface 10 a and rear surface 10 b reflect the image display light L of the display region multiple times in alternation, causing it to advance in the X direction (set direction).
  • the advancing image display light L reaches the secondary beam splitter surface 30 (front surface 10 a ), and the secondary beam splitter surface 30 (front surface 10 a ) reflects a set fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and transmits a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L.
  • the image display light L which has advanced inside the secondary substrate 20 is reflected by the front surface 20 a and then reaches the secondary beam splitter surface 30 (front surface 10 a ).
  • the secondary beam splitter surface 30 (front surface 10 a ) reflects a set fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and transmits a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L.
  • a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L advances inside the main substrate 10 and a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L advances through the inside of the secondary substrate 20 .
  • the image display light L which has advanced through the inside of the main substrate 10 or the secondary substrate 20 reaches the first main beam splitter surface 11 a .
  • the first main beam splitter surface 11 a reflects a prescribed fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and transmits a prescribed fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L. Namely, the luminous flux of image display light La is guided toward the viewer.
  • the image display light L which has been transmitted through the first main beam splitter surface 11 a or which has advanced through the inside of the secondary substrate 20 reaches the second main beam splitter surface 11 b .
  • the second main beam splitter surface 11 b reflects a prescribed fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and transmits a prescribed fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L. Namely, the luminous flux of image display light Lb is guided toward the viewer.
  • image display light L which has been transmitted through the first main beam splitter surface 11 a or through the second main beam splitter surface 11 b or which has advanced through the inside of the secondary substrate 20 reaches the third main beam splitter surface 11 c .
  • the third main beam splitter surface 11 c reflects a prescribed fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and transmits a prescribed fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L. Namely, the luminous flux of image display light Lc is guided toward the viewer.
  • the image display light L is split and magnified by the secondary beam splitter surface 30 , making it possible to prevent the occurrence of regions where luminous flux propagating through the inside of the main substrate 10 is not present (dropouts). Furthermore, since the secondary substrate 20 is bonded to the front surface 10 a of the main substrate 10 , the overall strength of the light guide unit 100 is improved.
  • image display light L advances in the X direction (set direction)
  • image display light L since there exists image display light L which passes through the inside of the secondary substrate 20 without being transmitted through the main beam splitter surfaces 11 a and 11 b , the difference between the light quantity outputted to the outside from the first main beam splitter surface 11 a and the light quantity outputted to the outside from the third main beam splitter surface 11 c becomes smaller, allowing the brightness (light quantity) to be made more uniform.
  • FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating the general configuration and optical path in the XY plane of a goggle type display (display device) of the present invention
  • FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating the propagation range of luminous flux in FIG. 8 . Similar parts have been assigned the same reference symbols as in goggle type display 1 described above.
  • the goggle type display 201 has an appearance similar to goggles, and comprises an output unit 240 which outputs image display light L, a light guide unit (optical element) 200 which internally reflects the image display light L from the output unit 240 and guides it to the eye E of the viewer, and a frame part F to which the output unit 240 and light guide 200 are attached.
  • an output unit 240 which outputs image display light L
  • a light guide unit (optical element) 200 which internally reflects the image display light L from the output unit 240 and guides it to the eye E of the viewer
  • a frame part F to which the output unit 240 and light guide 200 are attached.
  • the light guide unit 200 comprises a main substrate 210 , secondary substrate 20 and secondary beam splitter surface 230 .
  • the main substrate 210 comprises a front surface 210 a , a rear surface 210 b located opposite the front surface 210 a in the Y direction, a right surface 210 c , a left surface 210 d located opposite the right surface 210 c in the X direction, a top surface (not illustrated), and a bottom surface (not illustrated) located opposite the top surface in the Z direction, and furthermore has a reflective surface 212 and main beam splitter surface 11 formed inside.
  • the front surface 210 a and the rear surface 210 b are parallel to the X direction (set direction).
  • the reflective surface 212 is arranged in the right part of the inside of the main substrate 210 and is arranged to have an angle ⁇ to the X direction when viewed from the Z direction.
  • a silver coating is applied to reflect the entire luminous flux of inputted image display light L in the X direction (set direction).
  • the reflective surface is not limited to silver coating and may also be another metal coating (for example, aluminum coating), and may also be formed as a dielectric multilayer coating, not as a metal coating, or a different medium such as air may be used to the right of the reflective surface and the reflection generated by the refractive index difference thereof may be utilized.
  • the secondary beam splitter surface 230 makes it possible for a set fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L to be reflected and for a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L to be transmitted.
  • the secondary beam splitter surface 230 is formed through optical coating on a prescribed region of the front surface 210 a of the main substrate 210 , and the front surface 210 a of the main substrate 210 and rear surface 20 b of the secondary substrate 20 are directly bonded and are thereby arranged between a prescribed region of the front surface 210 a of the main substrate 210 and a prescribed region of the rear surface 20 b of the secondary substrate 20 .
  • the prescribed region where the secondary beam splitter surface 230 is arranged is at a location such that image display light L is reflected by reflective surface 212 and is then reflected by the front surface 210 a and is not reflected again by the reflective surface 212 . In this way, image display light L which is reflected two or more times by the reflective surface 212 is eliminated and the occurrence of stray light is prevented.
  • the output unit 240 is arranged such that image display light L from the output mechanism will be inputted inside through the front surface 20 a of the secondary substrate 20 in a direction perpendicular to the front surface 20 a .
  • image display light L from the output unit 240 is inputted inside through the front surface 20 a in a direction perpendicular to the front surface 20 a , it advances toward the reflective surface 212 of the main substrate 210 .
  • image display light L of the display region from the output unit 240 is inputted inside the secondary substrate 20 through the front surface 20 a .
  • the image display light L from the output unit 240 is inputted inside through the front surface 20 a in a direction perpendicular to the front surface 20 a .
  • the inputted image display light L then reaches the reflective surface 212 , and the reflective surface 212 reflects the image display light L of the display region substantially in the X direction.
  • the front surface 20 a and rear surface 210 b reflect the image display light L of the display region multiple times in alternation, causing it to advance in the X direction (set direction).
  • the advancing image display light L reaches the secondary beam splitter surface 230
  • the secondary beam splitter surface 230 reflects a set fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and transmits a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L.
  • a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L advances inside the main substrate 210
  • a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L advances inside the secondary substrate 20 .
  • the thickness of the secondary substrate 20 and the region of the secondary beam splitter surface 230 are set in such a way that image display light L which has been reflected once by the reflective surface 212 will not enter the reflective surface 212 again after being reflected by the front surface 20 a or secondary beam splitter surface 230 .
  • the image display light L which has advanced inside the secondary substrate 20 is reflected by the front surface 20 a and then reaches the secondary beam splitter surface 230 .
  • the secondary beam splitter surface 230 reflects a set fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and transmits a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L. Namely, a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L advances inside the main substrate 210 and a set fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L advances through the inside of the secondary substrate 20 .
  • the image display light L which has advanced through the inside of the main substrate 210 or the secondary substrate 20 reaches the first main beam splitter surface 11 a , the second main beam splitter surface 11 b and the third main beam splitter surface 11 c .
  • the first main beam splitter surface 11 a , the second main beam splitter surface 11 b and the third main beam splitter surface 11 c reflect a prescribed fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted image display light L and transmit a prescribed fraction of the luminous flux of the image display light L. Namely, the luminous flux of image display light La, Lb and Lc is guided toward the viewer.
  • a secondary substrate 20 of a set minimal thickness is arranged in front of the reflective surface 212 , stray light which is reflected two or more times by the reflective surface 212 (for example, luminous flux which has been reflected by the reflective surface 212 , which is then reflected by the front surface 20 a and is then reflected not by the rear surface 210 b but again by the reflective surface 212 ) is eliminated, and splitting and magnification are performed by the secondary beam splitter surface 230 , thereby making it possible to prevent the occurrence of regions where luminous flux propagating through the inside of the main substrate 210 is not present (dropouts).
  • the secondary substrate 20 is bonded to the front surface 210 a of the main substrate 210 , the overall strength of the light guide unit 200 is improved. Moreover, by not including the secondary beam splitter surface 230 in the region where the viewer views the outside world through the light guide unit 200 , thereby separating the region through which the outside world is viewed from the region where the secondary beam splitter surface 230 is arranged, the effect of making the secondary beam splitter surface 230 not noticeable to the viewer is achieved.
  • FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating the general configuration and optical path in the XY plane of a photoreceptor device of the present invention. Similar parts have been assigned the same reference symbols as in goggle type display 101 described above.
  • the photoreceptor device 401 comprises a photoreceptor unit (photoreceptor optical system) 440 which receives light, and a light guide unit (optical element) 100 which internally reflects light from the outside, guiding it to the photoreceptor unit 440 .
  • a photoreceptor unit photoreceptor optical system
  • a light guide unit optical element
  • the photoreceptor unit 440 comprises a photoreceptor mechanism arranged opposite the right surface 10 c and having a photoreceptor element 441 and optical system 42 ; and a control unit (not illustrated) in which signals from the photoreceptor mechanism are inputted.
  • first main beam splitter surface 11 a first main beam splitter surface 11 a , second main beam splitter surface 11 b and third main beam splitter surface 11 c .
  • the first main beam splitter surface 11 a , the second main beam splitter surface 11 b and the third main beam splitter surface 11 c reflect a prescribed fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted light so that it advances substantially in the ⁇ X direction, and transmit a prescribed fraction of the luminous flux of the light.
  • the front surface 10 a and rear surface 10 b reflect the light multiple times in alternation, causing it to advance in the ⁇ X direction (set direction).
  • the advancing light reaches the secondary beam splitter surface 30 (front surface 10 a ), and the secondary beam splitter surface 30 (front surface 10 a ) reflects a set fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted light and transmits a set fraction of the luminous flux of the light.
  • the secondary beam splitter surface 30 front surface 10 a
  • a set fraction of the luminous flux of the light advances through the inside of the main substrate 10
  • a set fraction of the luminous flux of the light advances inside the secondary substrate 20 .
  • the light which has advanced inside the secondary substrate 20 is reflected by the front surface 20 a and then reaches the secondary beam splitter surface 30 (front surface 10 a ).
  • the secondary beam splitter surface 30 (front surface 10 a ) reflects a set fraction of the luminous flux of the inputted light and transmits a set fraction of the luminous flux of the light. Namely, a set fraction of the luminous flux of the light advances inside the main substrate 10 and a set fraction of the luminous flux of the light advances through the inside of the secondary substrate 20 .
  • the photoreceptor device 401 of the present invention As described above, the total luminous flux which reaches the first main beam splitter surface 11 a , second main beam splitter surface 11 b and third main beam splitter surface 11 c can be received.
  • the photoreceptor device 401 of the present invention is able to sense the object of sensing in whatever region of the luminous flux is may be present.
  • the goggle type display 1 described above was configured with the secondary beam splitter surface 30 being arranged between the front surface 10 a of the main substrate 10 and the rear surface 20 b of the secondary substrate 20 , but it may also be configured by swapping the locations of the main substrate 10 and secondary substrate 20 , with the secondary beam splitter surface 30 being arranged between the rear surface 10 b of the main substrate 10 and front surface 20 a of the secondary substrate 20 .
  • FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating the general configuration of a light guide unit (optical element) of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating the general configuration of a light guide unit (optical element) of the present invention.
  • the light guide unit 100 had a configuration comprising a main substrate 10 , secondary substrate 20 and secondary beam splitter surface 30 , but a plurality of secondary substrates may additionally be arranged.
  • a plurality of secondary substrates may additionally be arranged.
  • this has the effect of making the light quantity more uniform.
  • substrates may be arranged only on one side of the main substrate but also so as to sandwich the main substrate.
  • FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating the general configuration of a light guide unit (optical element) of the present invention.
  • the light guide unit 100 had a configuration comprising a main substrate 10 , secondary substrate 20 and secondary beam splitter surface 30 , but it is also possible to additionally arrange a secondary substrate in a prescribed region only, without an intervening secondary beam splitter surface.
  • the secondary beam splitter surface 30 was formed and arranged over the rear surface 20 b of the secondary substrate 20 , but it may also be formed and arranged over the front surface 10 a of the main substrate 10 , or it may be formed and arranged both over the rear surface 20 b of the secondary substrate 20 and over the front surface 10 a of the main substrate 10 .
  • FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating the general configuration of a light guide unit (optical element) of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating the general configuration of a light guide unit (optical element) of the present invention.
  • the present invention can be used in optical elements, etc. for propagating light in a set direction.

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  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
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  • Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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  • Signal Processing (AREA)
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WO2017125992A1 (ja) 2017-07-27
US20180307014A1 (en) 2018-10-25
JP6562088B2 (ja) 2019-08-21
EP3407116A1 (en) 2018-11-28
TW201743103A (zh) 2017-12-16
EP3407116A4 (en) 2019-09-25
JPWO2017125992A1 (ja) 2018-05-31
TWI631368B (zh) 2018-08-01

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